My vocabulary is a living museum of American English. I use words from several eras at once.
Some people sound polished and current. They are Woke while I still reach for older expressions like Dang, Darn, and Dadgumit. For me, it feels like they soften irritation without turning every small annoyance into a major event.
Of course, when I’m truly angry, I know stronger language too. Sometimes a sharp curse word says exactly what I feel. There’s no denying that.
I probably thought more about my words around the time I had Grandchildren. Growing up in the 50s, I don’t remember a lot of cussing, either at home or on TV, certainly not like the kids hear all the time now.
I also still use words from the 60s and 70s—Cool, Bummer (one of my favorites), and Vibe (yes, I still get your Vibe). Every now and then, Far Out, Right On, or Can You Dig It may still appear.
One phrase I’ve never given up is: Keep on Truckin’.
I often use it to end a text or comment. To me, it means keep going, keep moving forward, keep handling whatever life brings next.
And then there’s: Bless your heart. I use all versions of it—Bless his heart, Bless her heart, Bless their heart. (I know, it drives Margaret crazy.) I think, for me, it is a kind of “I’m sorry this happened/is happening to you.”
The words we often use say something about where we came from. Mine reflect family habits, different decades, changing times, and my sense of humor.
So, if you hear me say, Dang,
that’s a bummer… keep on truckin’, you’re hearing a little of my history
mixed in with my everyday conversation.
I'm a living vocabulary museum too, LOL! Our language can really date us, both as to time and place.
ReplyDeleteFirst off this photo of you is absolutely beautiful. After my two days of a mock trial with younger people I heard myself. I too use older vocabulary and they use phrases and situations I have never dealt with. But you know what? It's okay. I yam what I yam as Popeye would say (how that for a old lady reference?)
ReplyDeleteI use Words from various Eras too and forget that some Younger Generations have never heard them before. Today The Son, who is 39, heard Two New Words he'd never heard before Gobbledygook and Consiglieri that Obama used in his Interview with Stephen Colbert. I didn't realize he'd never heard those Words and had to ask me what they meant!!! *LOL* I still use a lot of Old Hippie Slang, so even my Grandkids know what those mean.
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